OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF CASTLEFORD TIGERS
ISSUE 12 • DECEMBER 2020
INSIDE
MATAGI & TURNER JOIN THE TIGERS BIENEK BRINGING IMPACT TO CAS
O’BRIEN SIGNS THREEYEAR DEAL
PAUL MCSHANE
MAN OF
STEEL
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: MICK MORGAN + CASTLEFORD TIGERS FOUNDATION + OLIVER HOLMES + WIN 3RD SHIRT
Offer applies to televised Betfred Super League matches. Does not apply to red button matches. Top price compared to Ladbrokes, William Hill, Paddy Power, Coral, Bet365 and Skybet as compared on Oddschecker.com. ÂŁ500 maximum stake on all matches. Betfred rules apply.
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CONTACTS The Mend-A-Hose Jungle: 01977 552674 Tigers Den Club Shop: 01977 552499 Ticket Office: 01977 529264 Email: info@castigers.com castlefordtigers.com facebook.com/castlefordtigers twitter.com/ctrlfc
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STAFF Director of Rugby: Jon Wells Head Coach: Daryl Powell Assistant Coach: Danny Orr & Ryan Sheridan Head of Strength & Conditioning: Jamie Bell Head Physio: Matt Crowther Head of Youth: Darren Higgins Captain: Michael Shenton BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman: Ian Fulton Club President: Brian Ashworth Managing Director: Mark Grattan Directors:
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Richard Wright Steve Vause Dion Lowe
I N
T H I S
I S S U E
John Duff ADMINISTRATION General Manager: Richard Pell
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‘Mac’ of Steel Paul McShane main feature interview
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Bulletin Board
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Gareth O’Brien
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Lewis Beinek
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Roy Close 90th Birthday
Head of Commercial Operations: Chris Powell Commercial Manager: Craig Jeffels Accounts Manager: Pam Johnson Media & Marketing Manager: Matt Holden Ticketing Manager: Mark Gill Daily Draw Manager: Pauline Rhodes HONOURS
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Challenge Cup: 1934-35, 1968-69,
26 Win a 3rd Shirt!
1969-70, 1985-86 John Player Trophy: 1976-77
28 Castleford Tigresses
Regal Trophy: 1993-94
30 Mick Morgan
BBC2 Floodlit Trophy: 1965-66, 1966-67, 1967-68, 1976-77
32 Oliver Holmes
Yorkshire League Champions:
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1932-33, 1938-39, 1964-6 Yorkshire Cup: 1977-78, 1981-82, 1986-87, 1990-91, 1991-92 National League 1 Grand Final National League 1
40 Meet Suaia Matagi
Champions: 2007
42 Hunters Support Tigers for Further Seasons
2017 League Leaders’ Shield MATCH PROGRAMME Editors: Tom Maguire & Matt Holden
43 Jordan Turner becomes a Tiger
Contributor: Sam Armstrong Photos: SWPix, Melanie Rugby Pictures Magazine designed by Ignition Sports Media Ltd
36 Anthony Higgins Transport Extend Support 38 2021 Season Tickets
Winners: 2005, 2007
Allatt Photography & OMH
24 Foundation News
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48 Player Sponsors 50 Club Partners
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main feature
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December 2020 www.castlefordtigers.com
main feature
‘mac’ of steel PAUL MCSHANE IS THE STEVE PRESCOTT MBE MAN OF STEEL AWARD WINNER FOR THE 2020 SEASON. IN THIS FINAL EDITION OF ROAR FOR 2020, WE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT PAUL, AT HOW HE WAS DESERVEDLY GIVEN THE HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL ACCOLADE A SUPER LEAGUE PLAYER CAN WIN AND GET HIS EMOTIONAL REACTION. Consistent. Tough. Smart. For Castleford supporters, these are just three simple words that sum up the star hooker Paul McShane, and yet we could use so much more! Since joining Castleford during the 2015 season Paul has gone on to become an integral part of the squad with his consistent performances and commanding play making him, as Daryl Powell puts it, “one of the best nines in the game bar none,” and boy do we love having him as a Tiger. Paul’s rugby league journey has not been a simple one, in fact, he struggled to find his feet at local neighbours Wakefield before calling Wheldon Road home, but this was all after being shown the door by Leeds Rhinos who sent him out on loan to a number of clubs.
“Coming through at Leeds as a kid I was playing for the club I supported, obviously my time was up there and I got released and I had to find my own path to see what type of player I needed to be,” said McShane. “I went to Wakefield and as a team, we were struggling, I didn’t know if I was going to stay as a full-time player or not. Then Castleford gave me an opportunity to join the team and speaking to Powelly, over five years ago now, he gave me confidence in my ability and I wanted to make sure that I gave everything I could for that club for giving me another opportunity.” It is crazy to think how Paul had thoughts of going parttime whilst at Wakefield to potentially support his family but fortunately, he didn’t, which is good
because Macca had no idea what he would have done. “I haven’t got a clue, probably be a scrap man like my old man. I wouldn’t have had a clue because as a kid I had my heart set on playing rugby, I wasn’t the greatest at school I got no real qualifications and all I wanted to be was a rugby player. “To try so hard to do well at the sport that I love, you never think of getting anything like this. You just do things as a team, to do what’s best for your team so stuff like this is just awesome.” What was it then that clicked at Castleford for Paul? One of the main reasons is his coach, Daryl Powell who saw a lot of improvement to be made in the hooker back in 2015. Since then that critical analysis, year on year, has made McShane one of the one consistent players in the league. www.castlefordtigers.com December 2020
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feature interview
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main feature
“I just hate losing, I want to be the best at everything I do and if that’s playing rugby, or lifting weights or even playing cards, I want to win and I’m driven to be better and I think that is something that really ignited in me when I joined Castleford.” 2016 was a good year for Castleford but a high number of injuries held them back, however signs were showing of the brand of rugby Powell had been looking to build over the years, and key men began cementing their spots such as Macca who was everpresent in all of the Tigers matches in that year. Then in the incredible season of 2017, McShane played an instrumental role as Castleford made history, finishing first in the top division for the first time and claiming the League Leaders’ Shield. More impressively though, Paul backed up his own performances and then some in 2018! With Luke Gale out for the majority of the season and a young halfback in Jake Trueman stepping up, McShane led from the front and stood out by a distance as the Fords’ best player that season, sweeping the annual end of season club awards. With even more consistent performances in 2019, McShane looked to be an early candidate for the Man of Steel award but it wasn’t to be, so his Head Coach offered him further review and advice to be even better in 2020.
CHECK OUT JUST SOME OF THE STATS WHICH BACK UP PAUL’S MASSIVE PERFORMANCES:
Over 1,000 metres covered from scoots at dummy half An average gain per carry of 9.5m 604 tackles with a 92% success rate 108 marker tackles 17 of his 50 kicks were retained by Cas 8 assists
Paul paid tribute to Powell for the influence he has had on his improvement at the Tigers, with his Head Coach being one of the first people he called after finding out he won the Man of Steel. “Daryl has played a massive part in where I’m at as a player, five years ago he got me back to enjoying my rugby again, so out of respect he deserved to be one of the first people I would let know about the news. “From when I first joined, he gave me plenty of confidence in my ability, told me he sees things in me, and said I’ve always got more room to develop and become a better player. Even after my best seasons he still said to me that he sees 10 or 20% more improvement and he has always pushed me to strive for international honours. He’s just been an honest coach and friend.” The Tigers 2020 season is a bit like a tale of two halves, a high flying start saw Castleford head into the season suspension second in the table, but following lockdown close results and a number of defeats made it a tough period for the club.
Throughout it all though, McShane shone with individual performances and his desire to get the team performing well on the pitch, his passionate play resulted in him becoming a runaway leader in the Man of Steel leader board earlier in the campaign. “There have been some tough periods throughout the year with results not going our way, but the lads have been turning up and trying their hardest and they have helped me win this award,” said McShane. “I just hate losing, I want to be the best at everything I do and if that’s playing rugby, or lifting weights or even playing cards, I want to win and I’m driven to be better and I think that is something that really ignited in me when I joined Castleford.” Daryl Powell confirmed that the squad had the aim to help Paul get the Man of Steel accolade and that each player in the team believed he richly deserved it on the back of such a strong season. “If it wasn’t for my teammates I wouldn’t have been near, at the end of the day I go out and play rugby
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main feature for them, I want to do my best for them and for those guys wanting me to do well it means a lot,” smiled McShane.
“we’ve really missed playing in front of our fans this year, they play a big part for us. It’s a massive thank you to everyone involved at Cas.”
“I owe a lot of this to them, the players, the staff, even board members and fans just want the best out of you and we’ve really missed playing in front of our fans this year, they play a big part for us. It’s a massive thank you to everyone involved at Cas.” It’s all well and good everyone at your club believing you deserve it but the best analysis as to why Paul McShane was justly crowned the Man of Steel came from one of the sport’s greatest EVER players, the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Chairman Ellery Hanley MBE. “The award deservedly goes to Paul McShane because he performs in every game he plays in,” said Hanley. “He is ‘Mr Dependable’, and everyone holds him in the highest regard. As a player, he consistently displays bravery, skill, and athleticism. This is a man who wears his badge of honour in every action he delivers on the rugby league field. The phrase ‘actions speak louder than words’ fits Paul McShane perfectly. You only have to be in his company for three minutes to discover what a gentleman and firstclass human being he is. We are so lucky to have him in our game,” added Hanley – whose words humbled Paul greatly. Paul became the fifth Tiger to secure the highest individual honour in the Super League era and the third in Daryl Powell’s tenure at the club, following in the footsteps of Adrian Vowles (1999), Rangi Chase (2011), Daryl Clark (2014) and Luke Gale (2017). The whole event was surreal for Macca, a traditionally jovial man appeared to be a bit stunned when he first found out he had won. Whilst it is far from the end of his career, it must have felt the culmination of a long journey for both him and his family. “A big thanks to them really, they gave up their time and effort for me as a kid since I was six years old at Hunslet Parkside until I left at 16,” commented McShane.
“My parents, my mum going to every game and my wife, she has been on this journey since I was 15 and 16 years later to get this—” At this point of the interview with Sky Sports’ Brian Carney, the emotion of what it meant to him seemed to dawn on Paul, who apologised for his own ‘soppiness’ later via Instagram, which he did not need to do at all, we all understood how big a moment this was! In a press conference following the broadcast of the Super League Awards, Paul had a bit more time to compose himself and thank his family properly again. “For my family, I couldn’t say on the video with Brian because I couldn’t speak but the sacrifices they’ve made for me as a kid coming through and they’ve been with me through the tough times, hopefully, it makes them happy that their sacrifices paid off.” One of the best things about Paul McShane is his passion. His passion for the sport he loves, for the team he plays for and his determination to win in anything he does. Expect McShane’s passion to remain a strong driving force behind his ambition to not only succeed with Castleford Tigers, but also his aim for international honours too. Following conversations with England Head Coach
Shaun Wane, Macca believes it is up to himself to perform well enough for selection for the World Cup next year. “It’s down to me really I just need to keep performing and hopefully I can push my way into his plans, we have had a couple of conversations and speaking with him he buzzes me up about how he passionately he is about England. So, for me, I think it is down to me and I’m looking forward to next year already, I still feel like I am going to improve so it rests on me to get myself in that squad. “I want to win something with Cas, I’m really desperate to do that and also I want to play for my country, it’s something I haven’t done just yet and it’s something that I am really passionate about and really want to do.” www.castlefordtigers.com December 2020
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TIGERS TRIGGER HEPI EXTENSION
SUPER LEAGUE 2021 SEASON STARTS IN MARCH
Castleford Tigers have triggered the second year of Tyla Hepi’s contract, ensuring the popular forward will remain at the club for the 2021 season. Hepi moved to The Mend-A-Hose Jungle from Toulouse in the off-season and has made a big impression with the Tigers, becoming a regular part of the first team since the Betfred Super League restart in July. The prop, who is considered to be federation trained and therefore does not count on the club’s overseas quota, initially agreed to a one-year deal with Cas with a further one-year option – and the club can confirm it triggered the extension earlier this season. Hepi, who has made eight appearances for the Tigers so far, said: “It’s been a roller coaster of a season on and off-field obviously with the influence of COVID but I am currently enjoying the last few months of footy and I’ll keep my feet on the ground and keep working hard and getting better every day for the team.
The Betfred Super League 2021 season will start on March 11, with the Betfred Super League Grand Final to be played on October 9 at Old Trafford.
“I have some goals I’d like to achieve and ultimately that will ensure I’m a better player for 2021. “My goals next season are to be a big asset to the team and club and ultimately be happy, to keep working hard and earn some silverware with this great historical club and give this town what we deserve.”
HODGSON MOVES TO NRL FOR UNDISCLOSED FEE
The later season start date is a result of the impact of Covid-19 on the extended 2020 campaign and the desire of Super League clubs to give players a muchneeded period of recovery and a full pre-season. Dacia Magic Weekend also makes a welcome return to the 2021 calendar. It will be played at St James’ Park, Newcastle, on 29/30 May. Clubs will play 13 home fixtures in a 27-game Regular Season, including the Dacia Magic Weekend. The later start results in a repeat of the six-team play-off format used in 2020. Fixtures for the 2021 Betfred Super League season will be released in January.
Castleford Tigers can confirm the club has accepted an undisclosed transfer fee from Newcastle Knights for the services of Bailey Hodgson. A graduate of the Tigers’ Scholarship and Youth Programme, Bailey has long held an ambition to follow in his uncle Josh’s footsteps by testing himself in the NRL and had a clause in his contract allowing him to make the move Down Under should a suitable offer come in. The Tigers have now finalised the financial arrangements with the Knights and the young full-back has signed a three-year deal with Newcastle. The money received from the transfer fee shall be re-invested into the Castleford playing squad. During his time at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle, 18-year-old Hodgson featured at England Youth level and made
his Super League debut against Hull Kingston Rovers last month, with the Tigers confident he would link up with the club once again should he return to the UK in the future. Castleford’s Head of Youth Performance, Darren Higgins, commented on the news saying: “We would like to wish Bailey all the best in Australia, it’s a challenge he always wanted to take on. “Bailey’s progress is not only great recognition for his own hard work and dedication but for our youth provision with many people involved in this process. In particular, Danny Evans has had a profound impact on Bailey’s development, which I know Bailey is really appreciative of.”
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O’BRIEN ONBOARD UNTIL 2023 CASTLEFORD TIGERS ARE DELIGHTED TO CONFIRM GARETH O’BRIEN HAS SIGNED A THREE-YEAR DEAL WITH THE CLUB, KEEPING HIM AS A TIGER UNTIL THE END OF THE 2023 SEASON.
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T
he 29-year old joined the Fords back in August initially on loan for the remainder of the 2020 season and would have returned to his parent club Toronto Wolfpack next year if the Canadian club’s entry to Betfred Super League had been granted. Following the decision to reject Toronto’s admission, Gareth agreed to a deal with Castleford and will remain a Tiger. O’Brien quickly embedded himself well in the squad and in his eight Tigers appearances this season scored three tries and converted seven goals. In 2019 O’Brien was named the Betfred Championship Player of the Year after registering 22 tries and over a quarter of Toronto’s entire points tally in that year’s campaign. Gareth in 2020 has been proudly sponsored by Insulation Direct who will continue as his player sponsor in 2021, we would like to thank Insulation Direct for their ongoing support to the club. O’Brien himself was happy to be able to extend his stay with the Fords, and is already looking to kick on in the future. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to continue my stay at the Tigers and I’m really looking forward to the next three years. “Since joining it’s been great, I settled in really quickly, the boys have been great, and the coaches have been fantastic. It’s been a difficult year for everyone, and I think we’re a bit glad to see the back of it and we’re all looking forward to 2021. O’Brien made his first Tigers’ runout this season in August, putting in a strong debut showing at fullback against St Helens, a performance made all the more impressive by having not played for nearly six months! “I’d kept my fitness levels up throughout lockdown, but I was still nervous before that game and against the reigning champions…it was probably the most intense game I’ve ever played in, so to come in and play in a game like that after almost six months out, I felt every little bump and bruise the next morning, but it was so good to be back!” O’Brien’s addition to Castleford’s 2021 squad adds further competition for starting spots in the Tigers’ matchday seventeen, at the halfback spots with Jake Trueman and Danny Richardson, but also at fullback with a reunion with fellow former Red Devil Niall Evalds in the offing. “It’ll be funny linking up with Niall again, he’ll be thinking ‘It’s me and Gaz after that fullback jersey again!’, but he’s a great lad Niall I’ve played with him at Salford and we’re really good friends so looking forward to getting the chance to play together and battle for that number one jersey.” Friendly rivalries aside, the former Toronto player is ready to put his talents to use across a variety of positions and is already relishing the challenge for places: “A lot of my early career, especially at Warrington, I was predominantly a halfback, but I switched to the fullback position when I joined Salford in 2016 and got to know that position better and have learnt a lot from
playing there. I’m in a position now where I can slot into both halfback and fullback and that gives us some good options for next year. I’ll be putting everyone on their toes, it’s healthy and helps the competition that a squad needs. I’m looking forward to it.” “I’ll be trying to cement a starting spot in 2021, whether it’s in the halves or the fullback, but even if I’m not there every week, I’ll training the best that I can and helping those that are playing to prepare for the game each week!” Being able to work with Head Coach Daryl Powell was also an incentive for O’Brien to return back to Wheldon Road for next season, who he believes will get the best out of his game: “He’s a very attack minded coach and that’s a strength of my game. It’s only been a short amount of time that I’ve had to work with him this year but obviously I’ve got a lot of time ahead of me now in the next three years to work even closer with him, and I’m looking forward to it.” Despite his midseason entrance, O’Brien says he has already felt a natural fit in the Tigers’ dressing room and already sensed the dressing room camaraderie going into 2021: “I knew a few of the boys from my previous spell on loan at Cas in 2013 and obviously I’ve played with a few of the lads who I’ve been with at other clubs. A great group of boys, the closer you are off the field, the more it helps you when you’re playing and training together on it!” Head Coach Daryl Powell is delighted to keep hold of O’Brien in his Castleford squad: “I think Gaz showed what an experienced half can add, either playing at half or fullback, he’s pretty flexible and he has been great for us. With Jordan Rankin going home he ended up being a key signing and whichever position he played in he was very good, and we’re delighted he has taken up the offer to stay with us,” said Powell. “He has great experience, can kick, run, pass the ball, be very dangerous and adds real competition for places at fullback and halfback which is a great situation to be in. “It’s been tough for all the Toronto players not really knowing where their future lies and so there was a bit of flexibility there for Gaz. He’s fitted in well and so we were happy to give him some security if Toronto did not work out for him, so we are very happy he will be a Tigers player going forward.” Director of Rugby at Castleford Tigers, Jon Wells is pleased O’Brien will be a Tigers for a further three seasons and said: “Gareth has been a first-class addition to our squad this season and we are very pleased to have him on board on a permanent basis going into 2021. “He is an experienced, high-quality player and he adds great depth and versatility to our squad. At a time when the entire game is having to cut its cloth according to their means, I think this is a vital signing for us.”
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Bring on
Bienek!
CASTLEFORD TIGERS ARE PLEASED TO CONFIRM THE RECRUITMENT OF LEWIS BIENEK FROM HULL FC AHEAD OF THE 2021 SEASON! A marauding ball-carrier with formidable size, Bienek will arrive at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle on an initial one year deal to lend his physicality to a Tigers front row already boasting talents such as Liam Watts, Grant Millington, George Griffin and Tyla Hepi, with Bienek’s contract including an option to extend until 2022. The Ireland international has top-flight experience that belies his young age after being pressed into action for the Black and Whites aged just 20 years old in 2018 after joining from London Broncos. Reflecting on his time in the capital, Bienek talks about the hard work necessary to adjust to the 13man game: “London was where I grew up playing rugby league with the Broncos. I’d been there a long time, been through their academy system, their scholarship system and ultimately ended up playing first team rugby. There are a lot of great players coming out of London who just need the opportunity to play really, and London Broncos together with London Skolars are a few of the teams down south that can offer that.
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“Ultimately, it’s about hard work! A lot of the London-based players haven’t really played rugby league before, so going into things they can be a bit raw, learning to condition themselves and all that, whereas up here, a lot of the kids have been playing since they were very young. It’s really just about getting stuck in down there and getting something out of it!“ During his time with Hull FC, he also gained valuable playing time out on loan at Batley Bulldogs and had made a strong start to this year with Leigh Centurions prior to the cancellation of the Betfred Championship season. “When I first signed for Hull, it was just to get out there and play for a Super League club! I could have stayed at London, but because I’d been there so long, I wanted to challenge myself, see what a different club is like, and see what a Super League atmosphere would be like!” The 22-year old will now be aiming to get more games under his belt with the Fords after only making a solitary Super League
appearance this year in FC’s 40-22 defeat to Leeds Rhinos in October and says he’s raring to begin working with his new Head Coach, Daryl Powell. “I’m buzzing, when I spoke to Daryl and got the deal over the line, I was really excited, I just want to get going. Obviously, it has been a tough year for everyone and we’re getting out of the back end of that and getting stuck into the pre-season, I’m really looking forward to it. “Daryl is one of the main reasons I wanted to sign with Cas, he’s a great coach and he gets a lot out of players that are coming through that are younger, so it will be great to learn a lot from him and there are more experienced players there, too.” With the Rugby League World Cup taking place on these shores next Autumn, Bienek is aiming to demonstrate the physical side of his game whilst building for a strong domestic season to stake his claim for a spot in the Ireland squad. “For me personally, I get used as an impact player. Someone to come on, carry very hard and strong to get those metres ups and hopefully knock some people over!” “I think Cas give people a go and are not afraid to let people get stuck in and show what they can do. The World Cup is coming up so I want to put my best foot forward to get into the Ireland squad again and show what we can do there again. There is a lot to look forward to and a lot of challenges to really get stuck into. “2021 we’re going to rip in, hopefully get the fans in the stadium and get the place bouncing to get the boys ready for the games, get some good carries in and play some exciting stuff!” Head Coach Daryl Powell is confident the Tigers’ latest signing will have a sizeable impact at his new club, adding: “We tried to sign Lewis before he went to Hull. He’s come out of London, he has loads of energy and enthusiasm and he’s a big kid with great leg speed, he’s pretty rapid,” commented Powell. “Lewis is a great prospect and I’m looking forward to getting him in and seeing what he can do. I think everybody will be excited to see him, you look at some of the things he has done earlier on his career, he has some development to do, but he has got a lot of potential. “Front row is an important position and I think Lewis will really add to us. We’ve got a few young forwards now, obviously Matt Cook and Junior Moors are leaving us, but we’ve got
Tyla and Jacques who have done pretty well, as well as Lewis Peachey and Brad Martin who played towards the back end. “We have a real air of youth that will stand the club in good stead for years to come which is what we’re looking for, but we’re also looking to win a competition next year as well.” Castleford’s Director of Rugby Jon Wells believes Bienek will develop well at the club and said: “We are delighted to welcome Lewis to the Tigers. He is a young player who we have previously tried to acquire and who has massive potential. “He will add size and grunt upfront for us in 2021 and will really complement our existing pack. He has plenty to learn but from what we know already he has exactly the right attitude to improve in our environment.” www.castlefordtigers.com December 2020
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Roy Close
A key influence on our Immortals The club would like to wish a special 90th birthday to Roy Close, who celebrated the milestone on 29th November. A lifelong Cas fan since he was an early age, Roy attended many a game at Wheldon Road over the years and still stands in the same place at home games even all these years later! Roy’s ties with the Fords extend far beyond him watching them from the terraces however: For many years Roy taught maths and was a sports master at Ashton Road Secondary Modern School, where he taught amongst others, club legends Mal Reilly, Keith Hepworth, and Alan Hardisty. Roy also worked at Castleford High School, so between the two schools he taught MANY Cas fans over the years. Two-time Castleford Challenge Cup winner Mal Reilly credits Roy with helping him discovering rugby league in the 60s in this excerpt from his autobiography “Reilly: A life in rugby league”: “I didn’t really stumble across league until I went to Ashton Road Secondary Modern School at Castleford when I Was 11. Roy Close was a maths teacher and sports master there and the school was renowned for producing good league players…Roy played rugby union for Old Pontefricians. I think he had captained the Pontefract Firsts in his serious playing days. He was a fitness fanatic and he encouraged me to try my hand at league; he taught me a lot of skills.. Roy Close was also one of those old-fashioned teachers who could teach young fellas like me a lot about the way life works.” However, by Reilly’s account, Roy imparted far more than just a knowledge of the rugby field and was always ready to deliver an impromptu life lesson, however it came! “Now, if sport was my strength at school, it’s just as certain that maths was my weak spot. During a test I was gazing around, and I admit, looking
over the shoulder of the boy in front of me as I struggled to come up with the answers. Out front, Roy took note. ‘Malcom, come out here and sit next to me,’ he said. So I went and sat next to the teacher, who was also working his way through the test. To my surprise, Roy gave me a nod and a wink that I could copy off his paper…which I did. ‘How good is this?’ I thought. Finally, Roy called time and set about writing the correct answers on the blackboard. I got 3 right out of 20! Afterwards, he called me to one side, ‘Let that be a lesson to you Malcom,’ he said. ‘If you’re going to do anything right in life,
do it yourself!’” Unfortunately, Roy’s wife Louisa passed away in March and he now lives alone with the support of his dedicated family and carers, but in the current climate, Roy’s whole family are unable to throw a party for him or even be with him to celebrate. We hope that instead Tigers fans will join us here in wishing Roy a very happy 90th Birthday and celebrating the until now little-known role he had in tutoring some of the club’s greatest players!
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Aysgarth Falls Hotel AA 4★ Gold Inn
A warm welcome awaits, especially for Cas Fans! Situated in the heart of Wensleydale, we have nice, comfy rooms, great food and drinks, lovely friendly staff – and from the Jungle to Aysgarth is only an hour and a quarter! Cas Tigers season ticket holders and Cas Tigers Supporters Club members can get 10% discount off accommodation, only when booked directly.
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Tigers Kit to Kids 2020!
WITH CHRISTMAS SHAPING UP TO BE A BIT DIFFERENT THIS YEAR, CASTLEFORD TIGERS AND CASTLEFORD TIGERS FOUNDATION ARE HELPING TO TRY A PUT A SMILE BACK ON YOUNG FACES WITH A 2020 KIT TO KIDS GIVEAWAY! Castleford Tigers Foundation have been helping to organise the distribution of over 300 Castleford Tigers home shirts to give to deserving pupils in local schools. It’s been a tougher year than most to be in school, so it’s important to recognise and reward as many students as possible, who have knuckled down and done their best throughout these challenging circumstances! The students were greeted by Tigers’ Mascot JT and Foundation staff to receive their shirts in a sociallydistanced manner and it is hoped that we can see them being worn proudly back at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle as soon as it is safe for crowds to return. In addition, each school will be able to nominate certain star pupils for individual success and they will then receive the recently unveiled Tigers 2021 home shirt ahead of the new season.
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December 2020 www.castlefordtigers.com
Castleford Tigers College Register your interest now! Remembrance from Castleford Tigers CASTLEFORD TIGERS AND CASTLEFORD TIGERS FOUNDATION WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IN COMMEMORATING AND HONOURING THE SACRIFICE OF SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD ON REMEMBRANCE DAY. The freedoms that the Club and Foundation have and what they do on a daily basis simply wouldn’t be possible without the sacrifice of those individuals, to whom so much is owed, and we are indebted to them to ensure that their contributions are never forgotten. Meanwhile, Castleford Tigers Foundation took the time to commemorate those from the Five Towns area who have lost their lives in conflict, in particular Rifleman James Backhouse from 2nd Battalion The Rifles, a former Airedale Academy pupil who was killed in Afghanistan in July 2009. With restrictions preventing a full remembrance service,
representatives from the Foundation were instead able to lay a wreath at a memorial to James and his fallen comrades at Airedale Academy.
STUDENTS INTERESTED IN PURSUING THEIR POST-16 EDUCATION OPTIONS WITH THE TIGERS CAN NOW REGISTER THEIR INTEREST ONLINE. Working in partnership with Airedale Academy and experienced education providers, Castleford Tigers College offers students aged 16+ the opportunity to combine a variety of study programmes with an crucial insight into the sports industry. Students enrolled at Castleford Tigers College have access to professional coaches and the guidance from professional sports performance staff alongside their studies. The course allows students to be part of the Tigers Player Development Pathway which feeds directly into the Youth Department’s Scholarship, Academy and Reserve teams. Since the course began, various students have gone on to study at university and even become professional rugby league players with the Men’s and Women’s first teams. Prospective students must have completed their GCSEs prior to September 2021 and can register their interest by filling out the form on the Tigers’ website. Community Director Simon Fox was only too happy to unveil the revamped education programme: “The new ‘Castleford Tigers College’ offers an array of high quality, interesting and achievable qualifications for people of all ages and abilities. In 2021 we have significantly expanded to offer a real variety of courses and look forward to welcoming new students throughout the year.”
The Foundation’s Head of Operations and Armed Forces Veteran Mat Lancaster laid the wreath and said: “James and his colleagues made the ultimate sacrifice whilst serving their country. It is important that as a community we remember and acknowledge the courage and sacrifice, but also learn from the values that James lived by and ensure that through our remembrance James is a source of inspiration for future generations.” www.castlefordtigers.com December 2020
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Win a piece of Cas history! Tigers supporters who purchased this season’s third shirt are being given the opportunity to win one of the player-fit designs from the first team squad. The amber-themed kit was revealed last year as part of the Club Castleford range and drew inspiration from the club’s rich history over close to a century, with the Tigers intending to wear the kit for the 2020 Dacia Magic Weekend. Unfortunately, with the rugby league showpiece in May cancelled due to COVID-19, the club were forced to adjust their plans, with the shirt then set to be worn in the anticipated final match of the campaign against local rivals Wakefield to coincide with Remembrance Day. A number of player-fit shirts for the first team squad were therefore printed with a traditional poppy on the chest before the club’s plans were again thwarted due to the premature conclusion of the Betfred Super League season. With three new shirt designs for 2021 signed off before lockdown earlier this year and featuring some new sponsors, the club has been forced to accept there will be no further opportunities to reschedule plans and therefore the 2020 third shirt will go down in history as never been worn by the first team squad for a competitive match. However, in recognition of Tigers supporters who purchased the design without having the chance to see it worn in action, the club will now be giving away a number of player-fit shirts as part of an end-of-season competition. The shirts bear a poppy on the chest and the name and squad number of various first team players on the back and will be assigned randomly to the winners. To enter the competition, simply post a picture of yourself wearing a 2020 third shirt on social media, either by commenting on the relevant post on the club’s official Facebook page or posting on Twitter and tagging @CTRLFC as well as the hashtag #ClubCasComp The competition closes at midnight on Sunday, 6th December and the winners will be contacted W/C Monday, 7th December. All remaining player-fit third shirts will then be made available to purchase via the club’s official eBay store, with the profits split between the Royal British Legion and the Tigers Community Foundation. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE SUPPORT. www.castlefordtigers.com December 2020
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castleford tigers women
Renouf discusses International duty ENGLAND INTERNATIONAL AND CASTLEFORD TIGERS STAR, TAMZIN RENOUF, IS GEARING UP AHEAD THE 2021 WORLD CUP IN ENGLAND. The player only made her debut for the national team last year however, she’s determined to remain in the squad as her family are yet to see her play in the England colours. She said: “I made my debut out in PNG (Papua New Guinea) and the game I played in wasn’t televised so my mum and dad couldn’t even stream it to watch me make my debut. “I’ve been on tour with England twice now. Once in France two years ago and then PNG last year. The first year I went to France I didn’t get picked to play which was a massive learning curve. Even more of a learning curve than getting to play last year because, although you make it into the team, the time you get dropped makes you push even more. Makes you work even more. “I’m not saying that just because I made my debut I’m going to get in that squad. I have to push on and strive. You never know who is going to be in that team. Everyone has to work their a**** off to make sure they’re going to be in that team.
“I think every experience I ever had leads to this. I think the first experience in France was the main one for me because it taught me that I really do need to work hard to achieve the things I want to. Hard work is everything and talent doesn’t get you anywhere without hard work.” The player spoke about her first game for England which was played deep in the jungles of Papua New Guinea back in 2019. This was the first match of a two-game test series. “The first game we played was in Goroka,” said Tamzin. “It was the first women’s international fixture to ever be played there. That was a great game to be involved in. I think 7,000 people turned up and it was mental how committed they were to watching the women. They were literally pressed up against the gates and it was a brilliant experience. The whole trip was a brilliant experience.” Renouf also recalls the atmosphere which, despite the 7,000 home fans, was incredibly friendly for both teams. She said: “It was almost as if they wanted us to win. A lot of them were cheering for us which was nice to have that support because there were so many people there. Obviously if they were all there for PNG, it would have been quite daunting. Seven thousand voiced cheering for one team – that would have been a lot worse. But it wasn’t even that they were cheering for one particular team. It was just their love for rugby league.” Around 40% of the population in PNG still live below the poverty line despite the country’s oil, gas and gold reserves. Tamzin remembers her time in the
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December 2020 www.castlefordtigers.com
country as a very self-reflecting journey. She said: “It was very eye opening to see kids walking around with no shoes on. On the last day in the main town, we had a football that we were playing around with in the pool. We kicked it over the gates of our hotel and these children were just fighting over this football. It just shows how we can pick up a rugby ball every day. I could go out and buy one and they were literally so pleased to see this ball. It was really telling.” England’s second game with PNG went down in history as the Orchids (PNG Women) picked up their first ever international win. Tamzin played in that fixture and recalls the game as one of the hottest she’s ever been involved in. She said: “It was extremely warm. There was no air. We might as well have been breathing no air. We remember the sun going down and then the men were playing afterwards. I was thinking that at least they won’t be playing in the scorching sun. I actually don’t remember much apart from how hot it was.” The British Lions were also taking on PNG that day which meant both the men and women’s teams met at the same stadium. “We saw them on that day,” said Tamzin. “They were staying in a different hotel in PNG. There wasn’t much mingling time. “Funny story though, Jackson Hastings was sat in one of the subs chairs so I came off the pitch absolutely blowing and he was sat in my chair. So, I just sat on the floor in front of him and he just tapped me on the shoulder and went ‘oh, do you want me to move’ and I said ‘yeah, I wouldn’t mind actually’.”
castleford tigers women
JASMINE CUDJOE AIMING FOR ENGLAND DEBUT ONE PLAYER HOPING TO EARN HER PLACE IN ENGLAND’S WORLD CUP SQUAD IS CASTLEFORD’S JASMINE CUDJOE. The 21-year-old missed the start of the 2019 season due to a car accident but returned half-way through the season and secured a regular place in the starting line-up. Cudjoe, just like all other players, was unable to stake her claim for an England shirt in 2020 due to the season’s cancellation however, she’s delighted to have been included in the England Performance Squad. “I was so happy,” said Jasmine. “When it got announced, I was scrolling through to see if my name was on there. I wasn’t expecting it whatsoever knowing that I took half of last year off. I was proud of myself and my family was proud of me as well. They’ve supported me since I started playing so they were just so happy for me.”
She said: “We have got a programme for when we can train and when we’re allowed to train. Obviously with the first lockdown, it couldn’t happen. There’s a World Cup next year and you want to try and prove yourself. It’s a matter of working hard in your own time so you’re ready when those training sessions can be on.” When asked whether getting a place in the World Cup squad was her main ambition for 2021, Jasmine simply said: “I’m going to work so hard and try not to give them a reason not to give me shirt. That is my aim, the 2021 World Cup. I’m just going to work really, really hard for the next 12 months.”
With almost a quarter of the England Performance Squad being made up of Castleford players, Cudjoe is happy to see so many of her teammates joining her in the England camp. She said: “There are a lot of us but it just goes to show that we work hard. It’s nice for us all to be there and prove ourselves.” When asked about training with the England team, Jasmine did admit that there haven’t been many opportunities during lockdown however, she has remained focused on home training.
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Hi Cas fans The season is over in the most testing circumstances ever, but what a finish! St Helens and Wigan treated us to, in my opinion, the best ever game in the Super League era. The drama, uncertainty, and commitment all combined to give the tuning in viewers a match that will never be forgotten. I have said many times before, defence isn’t just something a Frenchman has around his garden, it is what wins rugby league games. They both showed their defensive qualities by keeping their semi-final opponents try-less. Come the final, they didn’t disappoint! I have watched the game on Saturday, giving me chance to break the game down and I have to admit Saints benefited from a couple of crucial decisions, through no faut of the referee, who was excellent. Morgan Smithies’ moments of madness gave the Saints a 2-0 advantage on the stroke of half time. Wigan came out all guns blazing in the second half, and Bibby had a golden opportunity to put Wigan ahead but slipped at the vital moment. Bibby then made amends later when a brilliant catch and pass by Bevan French gave him the chance to dive over to give Wigan the lead, but Hardakers’ missed conversion coming off the crossbar. Now, what I think were the two crucial decisions: Hastings’ tackle on Fages was judged high, but not by the ref. Walmsley had gone down injured, so the ref stopped the game to allow treatment. During the stoppage in play the touch judge entered the field of play and gave advice to the ref which resulted in an equalising penalty.
Then with two minutes to go, a decision made which Wigan will rue forever. 45 metres out and Wigan get a six-again call, then Saints are caught offside resulting in a penalty! Wigan decide to go for goal, Hardaker misses the penalty, crucially not kicking it dead. For me they should have kicked for touch and had five tackles to set up an easy drop goal chance. In the worst scenario, they go into golden point extra time… Ah well! We all know what happened next and Jack Welsby will remember that final moment forever more, a just reward for never giving up! Finally, congratulations to Paul McShane on becoming the fifth Cas player to win the Man of Steel award! I have to say watching it on TV was emotional, for someone who always has something to say for himself to be speechless was TV gold… I can’t speyk!
Morgy
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No place like home for Holmes Castleford Tigers confirmed in late November that home-grown talent Oliver Holmes had extended his contract with the club for 2021. The 28-year old is one of the Fords’ #ONECLUB men after coming through Castleford’s youth Academy he has only ever played his domestic rugby for the Tigers since debuting in 2010, and back in February, he made his 200th appearance for the club. It means that Holmes will enter his twelfth season as a Tigers player in 2021 and speaking about the news he was delighted to be staying at the club he has been at since he left secondary school. “It’s a great achievement being at the club for such a long time and shows a lot of loyalty from both sides, from myself and the club and I’m looking to build on it. I wanted to be here for next year and beyond so it’s a starting point and we’ve got next year to look forward to.” T&A Maintenance has proudly sponsored Oliver in 2020 and the Tigers are delighted the local building and civil engineering
company will continue their player sponsorship in 2021. Whilst the 2020 season did not pan out the way he wanted; Holmes believes it will drive the Tigers to do better in the next campaign. “Having the year that we have had I think we will have a bit more coal on the fire really to make that desire burn and push us even harder throughout preseason to make sure that next year is a successful year for us.” Another source of motivation for Oggy is the squad’s blend of both youth and experience with the potential it could be the last season for a couple of Tigers players. “There’s a few lads coming into the last year of their contract and a few might retire at the end of next year, for them, there’s a lot riding on next year and on the flip side of that, we’ve had to play a couple of young lads this year who probably wouldn’t have got as much
game time as they have and they’ve shown they can handle the pace and what it takes to play Super League. “It has been a real bonus having those lads step up and they are gaining more confidence and feeling more comfortable around the lads and comfortable out on the field in a Super League game. So, there are positives that have come from such a disappointing year. It has been a while since we’ve had a group of young lads come through the system and it will be interesting to see them kick on.” Another group of players who are expected to kick on are the recruits ahead of the 2020 season who were: George Griffin, Derrell Olpherts, Tyla Hepi, Soaia Feki and Danny Richardson. Holmes believes they have added brilliantly to the Tigers already and will do so even more after spending a year with the club. “Those lads who have been here just this year so far I
think have been great for us since they’ve come in and that will only get better as people learn to play together more and more. Obviously Feki will be back in next year but in the 20 or so minutes we did see of him against Hull FC in the Challenge Cup was very good. Seeing him return the ball he looked strong, he looked good and it was really disappointing seeing him limp off in that game. I know he’s had a difficult year and he just wants to get out on the pitch to show what he can do for the rest of the team, and I’m sure he will do when he gets out there and he’ll make up for lost time, I can’t wait to see it. And all the lads who have been here are fully settled in and we get the best out of everybody.” In a final message to the Fords faithful Holmes added: “We will be looking forward to getting fans back into our stadium, looking to right a few wrongs and make sure we can do that with our fans in front of us.”
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Holmes to cycle 700km for Burrow fund Castleford Tigers player Oliver Holmes will cycle 100km a day for seven days straight at the beginning of December to raise funds for Rob Burrow and the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Back in December 2019, Rob Burrow was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and much like the entire rugby league community, Oliver Holmes expressed his desire to help raise funds for Rob. Holmes will be joined, socially distanced, with a friend or colleague during the course of the marathon challenge of 100km cycled each day for a week – totalling 700km in recognition of one of the greatest #7’s that Super League has seen play the game. Castleford fans can donate to Oggy’s challenge by visiting his Just Giving page which is linked on the club’s website – castlefordtigers. com The Tigers had originally planned for the club’s ‘home’ match against Leeds Rhinos on Friday, 6th November to take to the field wearing special printed shirts in support of Burrow. Each Castleford player’s traditional name and number on the back of their shirt would have been replaced with the name Burrow and the number seven after being granted permission to do so from Super League & The RFL. Due to the reshape of the play-offs ending Castleford’s season these shirts were not worn – but they are now up for grabs to seven lucky winners who donate £10 or more to Oliver Holmes’ challenge. After completing his daily 100km cycle, each day Oliver will select one lucky winner who donated £10 or more from his Just Giving
page. Castleford Tigers will share the name of the winner on social media and they will be asked to contact media@castigers.com for further details. Speaking about the fundraiser Holmes said: “I’m doing this on behalf of Castleford Tigers as a club to raise money for Rob Burrow’s fightback fund and the Motor Neurone Disease Association. The attitude shown by Rob in everything he has done has been awe-inspiring and I just want to play my part in helping him, his family and the MND Association in their research to find a cure for this disease.” Castleford’s #11 Holmes will be entering the off-season following this challenge but became a keen cyclist earlier in the year during the suspension of the Super League season. “Initially I was looking for different ways to exercise and originally was going out on an old mountain bike, not the best bit of kit for road cycling, but since then I’ve got hooked doing about 20 or 30 kilometres very regularly as it gets the legs moving and is really good for recovery. To be able to combine my new hobby with a fundraising cause for Rob it will be really special for me.” If you can please donate to support Oggy in his challenge, donations over £10 during the week of his cycles will enter you into a random draw to win a Castleford Tigers 2020 Burrow #7 shirt. Visit castlefordtigers.com to find the Just Giving page.
www.castlefordtigers.com December 2020
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Castleford Tigers are delighted to announce that long-term sponsors of the club, Anthony Higgins Transport will enter their seventh season as a partner of the Tigers! Fords fans will recognise Anthony Higgins Transport for being featured on the sleeve of all playing and replica kits over the past five years and we are pleased to confirm they will be part of our kits once again in 2021. With over 20 years’ experience in the transport industry, Anthony Higgins Transport is a local business based in Pontefract and has vehicles all over the UK after being built up steadily over the years. They offer a one-stop-shop solution for transportation requirements, with high efficiency and reliability. Since joining Castleford Tigers in 2017, Anthony Higgins Transport has also proudly sponsored Jesse Sene-Lefao and they have developed a wonderful relationship over the years. The transport firm is also terrifically embedded in the community, sponsoring several local junior sports teams, providing vehicles for public events, and assisting local charities. Thanks to the loyal support shown by our commercial family of partners and sponsors such as Anthony Higgins Transport, Castleford Tigers are hopeful of coming through the other side of the Covid-19 pandemic in good financial shape. Adele Higgins of Anthony Higgins Transport shared her delight at supporting the Tigers once again in 2021. “We are thrilled to continue our longstanding sponsorship deal with Castleford Tigers for a seventh year running. Starting off with just a player sponsor we have year on year grown our partnership with the club. “Both myself and Anthony have been supporters of the club for as long as we can remember it brings a sense of pride knowing we can support the club not only from the stands but financially as well.
ANTHONY HIGGINS TRANSPORT
ANTHONY HIGGINS TRANSPORT
ANTHONY HIGGINS TRANSPORT
“BOTH MYSELF AND ANTHONY HAVE BEEN SUPPORTERS OF THE CLUB FOR ANTHONY HIGGINS TONG R A N S P O RAS T AS L WE CAN REMEMBER IT BRINGS A SENSE OF PRIDE KNOWING WE CAN SUPPORT THE CLUB NO T ONLY FROM THE STANDS BUT FINANCIALLY AS WELL” Design by Straw Jonny Ltd May 2016 - [01 Revision]
“We have a desire to support our local team, especially during these unprecedented times to help secure a positive future for everyone involved on and off the field. We can’t wait to cheer the Tigers on for the 2021 season and hopefully see some silverware arriving!” Head of Commercial Partnerships at Castleford Tigers Craig Jeffels said: “I would like to thank Anthony Higgins Transport for their continued loyal support of the club as they enter their seventh year as partners of the club. The company have backed the Tigers fully during an obscure 2020 season by fulfilling all their sponsorship obligations in full, which is something we are extremely grateful for. “We look forward to seeing the Higgins logo on the sleeve of our playing and replica kits in 2021 and working with Adele and Anthony well into the future.”
StrawJonny www.castlefordtigers.com December 2020
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TIGERS FANS, MEET
SUAIA MATAGI
Castleford Tigers have added a new dimension to their forward pack for 2021 with the signing of experienced prop Suaia Matagi. The ex-New Zealand and Samoa international moves to the Mend-A-Hose Jungle on a one-year loan from Huddersfield Giants, where he has become a regular force in the Betfred Super League following spells with New Zealand Warriors, Sydney Roosters, Penrith Panthers and Parramatta Eels in the NRL. One of the pack leaders during his time at the Giants, Matagi is a no-nonsense front rower who stands at 6ft 2in and tips the scales at 17 stone, with head coach Daryl Powell excited about his potential to “dismantle defensive lines” for the Fords. Speaking about the addition of Matagi, Head Coach Powell said: “One of the areas we wanted to improve was our go-forward and our ability to dismantle defensive lines with brute strength and we’ve been able to add a couple of players there that I think will really help us. “Suaia is a go-forward player who we have found difficult to handle in the past with his ability to get the ball on the floor and play it quickly. He is an experienced player, someone who can come in and you know what you are going to get. He goes from A to B pretty quickly and I think he will be a great addition for us.” Meanwhile Jon Well, Director of Rugby extended a warm welcome to the big Samoan international saying: “Sui is exactly what we have been looking for in
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a big, aggressive, disruptive middle and he is a player of international quality. He will be charging forward from the back fence at the MendA-Hose Jungle throughout 2021 and I’m sure he will become a fan favourite pretty quickly.”
so being here and being a part of it, I’m excited to join and see what we can do in ‘21. I know Jesse (Sene-Lefao), Saia (Feki), Pete (Mata’utia) and Dan (Smith) from back at the Giants, plus Jordan Rankin who was here last year as well, boys who I’ve been to play with and against here and back home in the NRL.
But what did the Tigers new prop forward have to say himself? ROAR caught up with Suaia Matagi to ask him all about joining Castleford for the 2021 season.
What would you say your play style is like?
How are you feeling about joining the Tigers? I’m definitely excited for the new challenge, 2020 no one expected all these challenges but now I’m looking forward 2021, an exciting new opportunity for me and I’m looking to adding into the squad, I believe we can do something special. What do you know about Cas? I know a few of the boys already and played against them a few times, every time we’ve played Castleford, we always have some tough encounters and I know they are a tough, resilient team who always bounce back. Castleford is rich in history
December 2020 www.castlefordtigers.com
I KNOW WITH THAT RESILIENT MINDSET AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE GOING FORWARD I THINK I CAN ADD A BIT OF VALUE COMING INTO 2021 FOR CASTLEFORD TIGERS
”
Wherever I go I try my best to come from the back fence and get the boys going forward, I know my role as a forward and it might seem easy to run hard and tackle hard but it’s hardest to do on the field. I know for my role this year I will be looking to execute that and get the boys on the front foot. Excited to work with Daryl Powell? Looking from the outside in you see the way he manages a team and I have heard a lot of good things about him as well. I am just excited as a player to come here to grow and learn under him, I feel honoured to be here.
After making your NRL debut at 25 you have built up a lot of top-flight experience both in the NRL and Super League, how will you add that to the Tigers pack? One thing I know with my story and being a late bloomer is resilience, I had to take a lot of knockbacks and a ‘get down seven times and rise eight’ mentality and attitude, that’s where it’s got me so far. I know with that resilient mindset and positive attitude going forward I think I can add a bit of value coming into 2021 for Castleford Tigers. The positive attitude you mention is a similar mindset to Peter Mata’utia’s, you two know each other quite well? I played with him in the tour Samoa team and he is definitely someone I look up to as a role model, someone who leads on and off the field which is massive for me. One of my values is I believe if you are winning off the field then you are winning on the field as well. I would like to follow his lead and looking forward to working with Pete. Your fellow Tigers forwards, are you pleased to be playing on their side rather than running at them in matches now? Watts and Millington are players I sort of look up to and watch what they do on the field, as a prop forward you always look to your other front rowers to maybe mirror. If I can learn a bit, or just go shoulder to shoulder with them I would be honoured and excited to learn from them and play with them. Finally, your message to the Castleford supporters? Buckle up, get ready for next year. I know 2020 has been one hell of a year but come ’21 I believe we’re going to do something special and I’m looking forward to it. www.castlefordtigers.com December 2020
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HUNTERS EXTEND TIGERS PARTNERSHIP UNTIL 2022 Castleford Tigers are delighted to announce club partners Hunters Estate & Letting Agents have committed to a twoyear partnership agreement with the club! The local property management franchise is situated right in the heart of Castleford town, and they work seamlessly to deliver the best services they can to help sell or let your property. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic Hunters have continued to work hard remotely and used technology to limit physical contact wherever possible. With the support of terrific club partners such as Hunters, Castleford Tigers continues its aim to come through the Covid-19 pandemic in strong financial shape. Supporters who visit the Mend-AHose Jungle will have seen the Family Area next to the Main Stand has been sponsored by Hunters and the club is thrilled to confirm that will continue, furthermore Hunters will also proudly sponsor the Fans Man of the Match on the Tigers’ social media channels. Mark Wheeldon, Director at Hunters Castleford spoke to castlefordtigers. com about the sponsorship and said: “Hunters are delighted to continue our strong partnership with Castleford
Tigers with commitment to support the club through to the 2022 season. “We are proud Castleford people, and it is a great honour to be associated with the club who do so much to support the local community of Castleford. Hunters have had a huge year with record property sales in Castleford so if anyone is looking to move or would like a free valuation please not hesitate to get in touch.” Head of Commercial Partnerships at Castleford Tigers, Craig Jeffels commented on the great news saying: “We are delighted that Hunters have committed to further two years as club partners. The partnership has been a success since its inception in 2019, and It is important for us to build on these relationships with such well-regarded and well-established brands like Hunters. “I would like to thank Mark and the team for their support and patience in 2020 and look forward to what I am sure will be another successful two years!”
Please note: above photograph taken before the Covid-19 pandemic
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December 2020 www.castlefordtigers.com
Turner becomes a Tiger
Jordan Turner joins Castleford Tigers for the 2021 season from Huddersfield Giants on a one-year deal, he adds further options and experience to Daryl Powell’s backline, plus he can also cover stand-off and loose forward too. For Jordan, it was an easy decision to make after getting a call from the boss and knowing what type of rugby he likes his side to play… “I didn’t have to think too much about making the decision after speaking to Daryl and I’m really happy to be here. I’m excited about the coming season, the squad that we have got, and I think we can really push on at the higher end of the table at the end of next year,” said Turner. “Since Daryl took over at Cas he has brought the best out of a lot of players who were maybe at a crossroads in their career that’s something that always stood out for me. As well as the brand of rugby that they play, it’s a bit old school, a bit of a throwback and Cas like to through the ball about. Castleford are always a tough team to play against and speaking to him for a good while on the phone he believes in everything that I believe in, so I think it’s going to be a good fit.” Cheyse Blair’s movement to the backrow alongside injuries made it clear to Powell and Director of Rugby Jon Wells during 2020 that the team was short of a centre in the squad, so bringing in a player with almost 300 top-flight appearances in both the Super League and the NRL looks to be very smart recruitment. Furthermore, Jordan still wants to develop and learn more as a player too. “There are some really good players here in the backline at Cas and I want to come in and add to that, there are some players that have been for quite a few years and although I’ve been about a bit and played a lot of games I am still looking to learn off other people. I’m looking to learn off Daryl, looking to learn off people like Michael Shenton and I’m coming here to compete, I’m going to try my hardest to win a spot in the team. “No matter what stage I’m at in my career I always like to learn but I would also like to pass on some knowledge to the younger lads here as well, I think Cas have some good young kids coming through
and I want to help them out as much as I can.” It brings Turner’s time with the Giants to an end and he wishes them well going forward. “I’ve met a lot of good people at Huddersfield and I wish them all the best, I’ve got some mates there that I have a really close bond with. I enjoyed my time with them but it was probably time for me and the club to go different ways and everyone got what they wanted in the end, we leave on really good terms and I wish Huddersfield all the best.” Suaia Matagi is another Huddersfield player joining the Tigers 2021 squad, but neither former Giants players will be looking to stick to one another and both will aim to get themselves embedded in the team sharply. “Me and Sui are Castleford players now and even though he and I are really good mates from Huddersfield, them days are gone now and we won’t be looking to stick together, we’ll be looking to embed in the squad and get to know everyone as quick as we can.” 2020 saw the Tigers give debuts to a few younger players and one of those was talented young centre, Brad Graham. It gifts Graham the chance to learn from terrific mentors in Jordan Turner, captain Michael Shenton and Peter Mata’utia. Jordan believes in helping the younger talent coming through the ranks and that mindset began at St Helens when he might have assisted a certain halfback who now plies his trade at Wheldon Road… “It’s something that I tried to do more of before I left St Helens, to help the younger lads, Danny Richardson is one of them, not that he needed a lot of help because he’s a confident lad and has gone on to do what he has! At Huddersfield, I tried to help out some of the younger outside backs and it’s what I want to do here as well, I want to be a good teammate, a good player for Daryl and those are my aims.” Danny Richardson forms part of an exciting all-English spine for
Castleford in 2021 with Niall Evalds, Paul McShane, Jake Trueman and Gareth O’Brien in tow too. Those players those key positions made joining the team an attractive prospect for Turner. “One of the things that really excited me was the spine of the team such as the major coup of Niall Evalds who was pretty sought after. I think Niall probably could have had his choice of clubs and he chose to come to Cas, then Jake Trueman, Danny Richardson and Paul McShane, the spine is so strong and I think it’s one of the main things for going on and doing something well, when you’ve got a strong spine then everyone else going on around it sort of gets on board and be as good as they can be.
Castleford are always a tough team to play against and speaking to Daryl for a good while on the phone he believes in everything that I believe in, so I think it’s going to be a good fit.” “Daryl with the style of rugby that he plays, I think the game is changing going back to more attacking and mobile people and being able to post points. Cas over the last few years has had no problem in posting points.” Scoring points in front of a packed out Wheldon Road has been missed greatly since March of 2020, where the last professional rugby league match in this country with crowds was held. Much like every one of the Fords faithful, Jordan Turner hopes some normality returns soon and crowds can be in attendance darnt’ lane. “I’m hoping fans are back in by the time the season starts again, I’m coming here and I’m looking to compete and try as hard as I can to get myself in the starting team every week. Hopefully, you’ll see the best of me because I feel that I’m at my peak now and I’ve come to the club at a good time. I’m in good shape to ride the wave with Cas and compete as hard as I can.”
www.castlefordtigers.com December 2020
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BETFRED
SUPER LEAGUE
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08 | LIAM WATTS
09 | PAUL MCSHANE
10 | GRANT MILLINGTON
11 | OLIVER HOLMES
12 | MIKE MCMEEKEN
15 | JESSE SENE-LEFAO
16 | GEORGE GRIFFIN
17 | ALEX FOSTER
18 | CHEYSE BLAIR
07 | DANNY RICHARDSON
14 | NATHAN MASSEY
13 | ADAM MILNER
December 2020 www.castlefordtigers.com
06 | JAKE TRUEMAN
05 | SOSAIA FEKI
04 | MICHAEL SHENTON
03 | PETER MATA’UTIA
02 | DERRELL OLPERTS
01 | JORDAN RANKIN
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29 | JOE SUMMERS
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32 | SAM HALL
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25 | GREG EDEN
31 | BRAD MARTIN
DANNY ORR
24 | TYLA HEPI
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22 | JACQUES O’NEILL
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DARYL POWELL RYAN SHERIDAN
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